Mountaineer repair shop keeps Striker gunners on safe

Courtesy Photo | Pvt. Johnathon Adams, a Portland, Ore., native, installs a new M-2 .50-caliber machine gun safety kit, Oct. 9, 2008, in the repair shop at Camp Taji. The kits enables Soldiers to use an approved safety system when operating this deadly weapon. Adams serves as a fire control repairer with the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.12.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. Shane Bender
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers have only had one safety for the M-2 .50-caliber machine gun – the gunner. Soldiers have relied on either their own discretion or a spent round for the purpose of keeping the M-2 on safe.

In January however, an alert 64th Brigade Support Battalion Soldier was scanning the new M-2 technical manual, dated January 2008, and noticed a new addition: a National Stock Number for the new M-2 safety kit.

Realizing the significance of this new addition, an immediate order for 50 of the safety kits was submitted to obtain this new vital hardware for the Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Providing assistance in ordering the new equipment was Sgt. 1st Class David Lee, a native of Woodbridge, Va., who serves as the maintenance control sergeant for Company B, 64th BSB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.'s Shop Office.

Much to Lee's satisfaction, the safety kits in August and were quickly installed on the entire Striker Brigade's .50-caliber machine guns. Additionally, a Modification Work Order was sent out by Department of the Army requiring that the .50-cal. safety kits be installed on all .50-Cal. Weapons systems by 2010.

"I think the Army finally took our constant reminders of the issue to heart and did something about it, "said Staff Sgt. Andrea Larios, a Pine Springs, Ark., native, who serves as the Headquarters platoon sergeant for the 64th BSB.

The kit serves one simple purpose: it allows the gunner to put a weapon on safe. Period. So, the weapon system, which used to be dangerous to use because it could not be placed in a safe mode when loaded, and despite all training in Iraq and at a unit's home station, is now safer to use for any type of mission – both during training and actual combat missions.

Another side benefit is it helps eliminate a potential cause for negligent discharges since it dramatically lessens the chances of a weapon being accidentally fired by a gunner inadvertently applying pressure to the trigger while traveling over rough terrain.

Aside from the multiple benefits granted by the M-2 safety kits, there are also mission-oriented advantages. Tactics, techniques and procedures can be modified to allow the gunner to fire the weapon faster when warranted.

"The safety kits are new and will require practice and additional training, but the benefits of the safety kits will help make the United States Army safer," said Sgt. Jeremy Osterling, an Adrian, Mich., native, who serves as an armament tank turret supervisor with Co. B, 64th BSB.

• Date Taken: 10.12.2008
• Date Posted: 10.12.2008 10:53
• Story ID: 24859
• Location: TAJI, IQ